GREENVILLE, S.C. – The return of three starters and nine lettermen, including an All-Southern Conference performer, bodes well for Furman's cornerbacks and safeties, which features a program high 18 players.

Under the direction of first-year Paladin assistant coach Tommy Spangler, Furman's cornerbacks boast five players with a combined 40 starts.  They include Travis Blackshear (5-11, 180, R-Sr.), Dominic Morris (5-11, 175, So.), Micah Robinson (6-0, 184, R-So.), Ivan Yates (6-0, 180, R-So.), and Cally Chizik (5-8, 176, R-Jr.).

"It obviously begins with Travis, an All-Southern Conference player who has a chance to be one again," said head coach Clay Hendrix about his most veteran cornerback.  "He's been productive, has had a good offseason and preseason, and will graduate in December."

Blackshear counts 38 starts in a Paladin tenure that has netted the Savannah, Ga., product 125 tackles, eight interceptions, and 18 pass deflections.  A year ago he tallied 52 tops and hauled in a SoCon leading five interceptions on the way to landing consensus all-conference laurels.

According to Hendrix, it appears Robinson has the inside track to join Blackshear in the starting lineup after seeing action in all 11 games in 2021 and logging five starts, mostly over the final half of the campaign.

"Micah is another one of those guys who is long, has a done a great job in the weight room, and has made tremendous strides.  He's a big, physical corner who stepped in last year after Ivan exited the lineup."

Yates earned starts in the Paladins' first four games in 2021 before a finger injury that required surgery ended his season.  He's healthy now and will be in the mix for significant playing time.

"Ivan's another long-bodied cornerback who we were able to keep the redshirt on after playing in just four games. We're certainly glad he's back."

Joining Blackshear, Robinson, and Yates among players who count starting experience is Morris, who logged action in nine games last year and came on strong late in the season to post starts in the Paladins' final two games against VMI (37-31 win) and Samford (41-34 win).

"Dominic had a solid freshman season and ended up playing a good bit for us late in the year.  He's had a good fall camp.  We expect big things from him."

Chizik is another notable returnee looking to complete a comeback from injury that sidelined him in 2021.  The son of former Auburn coach Gene Chizik, he is a two-year letterman and veteran of 18 games, who counts a start and 47 tackles on his Paladin worksheet.  He's also seen duty as a punt returner.

"It's great to have Cally back out there and healthy.  He's been around and will be a big part of our plans, especially with some of our sub-packages where we will have five, sometimes six defensive backs on the field."

While five experienced cornerbacks can be labeled a bonus for just about any program, the Paladins could be ready to add more the mix.

"Caleb Williams (5-10, 185, Fr.) right now probably has the lead among the freshmen," said Hendrix.  "He came from a really good program (Tampa Jesuit), is talented, and has had a good August that includes a couple of interceptions in a scrimmage.

"Those are probably our top six right now."

Another newcomer to keep an eye on is Charles Ingram, V (5-11, 180, Fr.).  He will be joined by Cam Hamer (6-0, 180, Jr.) and Jalen Gummer (6-1, 175, Fr.) in adding more depth to the position.

Fourth-year assistant coach Corico Wright heads up a safeties group that also sports quality experience and depth.

Leading the way is free safety is Hugh Ryan (6-1, 200, R-Jr.), who counts 31 games, 19 starts, 112 tackles, and four interceptions as a Paladin.

"Hugh is our leader at safety," said Hendrix.  "He was good a year ago and has continued to get bigger, stronger, and faster.  He's also really bright and pretty much runs things back there."

The two contenders to take over the starting job at strong safety are proven performers: Kam Brinson (5-10, 186, R-Jr.) and Dae'one Wilkins (6-0, 202, R-Sr.).  

Brinson owns a pair of starts and 44 tackles in a career that spans 21 games.  Wilkins, who is making the move from spur to strong safety, counts 13 starts among 30 games he's appeared as a Paladin.

"Kam has played a lot of football for us, at both safety and on special teams.  I see that continuing, and Dae'one is one of our most consistent players in everything he does.

"We probably have more depth at safety than we've had since we've been here."

Two players, Jack Rhodes (6-1, 192, R-So.) and Austin Jones (5-11, 202, R-Jr.), will compete for playing time behind Ryan.

Rhodes has seen duty in 17 games over the last two seasons and owns a start (vs. Western Carolina in the 2020 season opener).  Jones, meanwhile, is hoping a return to health proves to be permanent.

"Jack has been a productive guy, particularly on special teams.  Austin has battled injuries for most of his time here, but he's had a solid preseason.  That's good."

Depth at strong safety will come from Tre' McLeod (6-2, 180, Fr.), DJ Durham, Jr. (6-1, 210, R-Fr.), Will Kobuszewski (6-2, 200, R-Fr.), and Jakeman Pendleton (5-11, 160, Fr.).